An alarming number of pedestrians are killed on South African roads during the Easter holiday and the festive season. Evidence thereof is included in a report released by the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) on statistics relating to road fatalities in the country.
Motorists’ intolerance is blamed for these fatalities, with the deteriorating state of national roads underscoring the gravity of the situation.
Last year over the four-day Easter long weekend, approximately 225 people were killed on the country’s roads, in 185 accidents.
Pedestrians killed accounted for 44,4% of this figure, while 27,7% were passengers, 25,6% drivers and 1,3% cyclists.
Looking back even further, the report for January to December 2022 revealed that 12 436 road users had died that year. Pedestrians accounted for 43% (5 347) of these deaths.
The Automobile Association (AA) has strongly warned that South Africa is in serious need of proper traffic law enforcement intervention.
The clarion call to tighten measures comes ahead of this year’s Easter break, stretching from 29 March to 1 April, during which scores of people travel to destinations all over the country.
Les Richardson, vice-chairperson of the Tyre, Equipment, Parts Association (Tepa), concurs with the AA, noting that road users need to be more tolerant of each other.
“I believe we all have a role to play – whether you are a transport driver, truck driver, motorist, motorcyclists or trolley pusher,” said Richardson.
“Everyone needs to be more tolerant of one another on the road and respect the fact that we are all entitled to use the roads – in accordance with the rules of the road.”
He said although Arrive Alive and other initiatives provided travellers some peace of mind, the presence of increased law enforcement sits well when you undertake a road trip during a peak holiday period.
“Sadly, driver behaviour will not miraculously change over a three-week period, when for the rest of the year drivers are allowed to drive as they wish without any consequences,” believes Richardson.
